A New Year (Mike)

Hello everyone and Happy New Year. It is hard to believe isn't it? 2008 is gone now but what a year it was. We will always remember it as the year God sent us to Colorado to the Church at Vallecito. We will remember it as a time to leave friends and family we loved to settle in a place where we didn't know a soul. That will be our memory of 2008. What will you remember about this year? Many of you will remember the losses of this year. It might have been a loved one who went home this year. For some it will be remembered as the year that everything seemed to fall apart; the economy, your bank account, etc. For some of you it will be remembered for the good things that happened this year. But whatever the year held for you it is over.
One of the things I have been thinking about this week is that 2008 was the year Jesus didn't come back. Have you thought about that? Over 2000 years ago Jesus made a promise to those who loved Him; I will return. In fact He said for all His followers to be ready because you never know when He is coming back. There is a story found in Luke 12 where Jesus speaks to His followers about watching for his return. In verses 35-36 he says, "Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet." This should be our constant reminder this year. He didn't come in 2008 but who knows about 2009? What should we do while we wait on His return?
The word tells us to be dressed and ready for service. Stay busy about the business of the Kingdom so that when He comes He will find us busy fulfilling the mission He left us here to do. Jesus left us the example to follow. When He was a child and he got "lost" from His earthly parents, they found him teaching in the temple. There He told them, "I must be about my Father's business." Then at the end of His earthly life, in John 17 He makes this statement, "I have finished the work you gave me to do." He further emphazied this truth from the cross when He cried "It is finished." That is now our model to follow. Finish the work God gave you to do.
I like the symbolism behind keeping your lamps burning don't you? Have you ever waited up on a child to come home from a date? You leave the front porch light on. I love the commercial for Motel 6 because they always end with this thought, "We'll leave the light on for you." Leaving a light on is a sign to the one coming home that someone inside is waiting on them, looking for them to come home. We might even say sitting on the edge of their seat, unable to rest until the one you love is safely home. Dear saints of the Lord Jesus, the One we love has promised to come again and "receive us to Himself, that where He is we may be also." Why don't you join me this year in preparing for His return. It could happen this year, it might be tomorrow. Until then keep the porch light burning. Your master is coming soon.

I love you all and look forward to seeing you all soon.

Waiting with you,
Mike

PS - We can't have a blog without a picture so here are some shots of our family this weekend on a sleigh ride.